Geodesic Dome

[Bluenose Climbers]

My Venturer Scouts (14 - 18 yr. old) all hammock and refuse to go to ground!!! When we go to large events and Jamborees we are assigned to camp in a field. We have Turtle Lady Bamboo Hammock stand that work well for sleeping but draw a lot of attention and visitors. We tried using the stands individually and in pods of three. They worked well but every one wanted to try them and the crowd of teens couldn't get out of the weather and caused problems.

Our solution was a Geodesic Dome. It will be a frequency 2 dome built out of 65 metal struts. Our dome will be 11ft tall and 22ft diameter. A f2 dome has 2 strut lengths, the struts are being made of 1 5/8" thin wall chain link fence posts, 35 at 6'6" and 30 5'9". The post ends are flattened, 3/8 holes drilled and an 18 deg. bend. These struts will be bolted together forming triangles.

Our dome will have enough room to hang 10 hammocks around the perimeter. The hammocks will be hung from the hubs where the struts are bolted together. This will leave us about 18 ft usable space in the centre of the dome. Our custom cover will complete the dome and give us a dry spacious area to cook and entertain.

I have held off posting about our dome because I don't have pictures yet. All the materials are in my yard now so I will be able to post progress photos as we do the build.

[MedicineMan]

Exciting! Cannot wait to see the pics.

[DivaB]

What a fun, interesting project you've under taken. It will be fun to watch you and your scouts build this and see the progress. Make sure to keep us all up to date

[bindibadgi]

I love this idea! It will be a fair bit to lug around in the car, but it will be an excellent and very functional solution.

I can't wait to see pictures.

[cashkeith]

I like it! I actually live in a geodesic dome home. Wonder if the wife would let me pop some hooks in the dome to hang from!? Can wait to see the pics! -ck

[dammfast]

This absolutely needs have its picture taken. It sound like something I would have tried to build when I was younger. You will have your own little city.

There is only one way out of the thunderdome!

[Corncob]

I've very excited to see how this turns out.

[Amelander]

Sounds like a great way to draw even more attention. Can't wait to see the pictures

[Knotty]

Wow. Can't wait to see pics.

The mechanical engineer in me also wants to know if it can handle the load? The geo dome is an efficient form so the odds are good.

[Les Rust]

+1 on eager for the pictures. Sounds like a great project for everyone involved--lots of angles of learning could take place here. It would be something they would never forget, nor would those who get to see it in action at a jamboree. Keep us posted.